Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers were down by three points with two minutes left in the game. A last-ditch pass from Rodgers to Davante Adams was intercepted, ending their hopes of a comeback victory. However, because of a controversial call on the field, the Packers were awarded possession at the Texans’ one-yard line. With this new life, they were able to score a touchdown and win the game.
Aaron Rodgers Can Thank the Houston Texans for Making His Road to Another Super Bowl That Much More Likely. Read more in detail here: aaron rodgers rings.
Randall Cobb seemed to be on the verge of being kicked out of the NFL, but that was before his close friend Aaron Rodgers rescued him from the Houston Texans’ underbelly and brought him back to the Green Bay Packers for one more shot.
On the surface, Rodgers’ demand for Cobb’s return to the Packers seemed to be a power move. After a tumultuous summer for the Green Bay front office, the MVP quarterback wanted greater influence over personnel decisions, and he knew he had general manager Brian Gutekunst in a pickle. Rodgers had a chip he could toss down that wouldn’t upset the boat too much.
Cobb has adequately rocked the Packers’ boat five games into the season, and I mean that in the greatest possible manner.
Randall Cobb seemed to be moved to make Aaron Rodgers pleased at first.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) delivers a touchdown pass to Randall Cobb (18) during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field | Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
The prevailing thinking around the Green Bay move was that bringing Cobb back would make Rodgers feel better since he would be reunited with an old buddy. The 2020 MVP made it plain throughout the offseason that he believed the Packers’ front staff had treated him poorly over the course of his career, so the move seemed to be a kind of peace gesture from Gutekunst to his quarterback.
“I wanted to help the organization learn from some of the past mistakes, in my opinion, about the way some of the outgoing veterans were treated, and just the fact that we didn’t retain a number of players that I felt were core players to our foundation, our locker room, high-character guys,” Rodgers said to the media upon his return to Green Bay in late July.
“I’m eagerly looking forward to Randall’s return. Rodgers stated, “He’s clearly a great buddy and a person I still believe in who can really play.” “He fits into the group of high-character people who left here, as I stated before.”
Cobb would also be a positive influence in the locker room and a mentor to rookie slot receiver Amari Rodgers.
Cobb’s deal suddenly seems to be a huge bargain for the Packers.
The Green Bay Packers’ Randall Cobb #18 runs for yards against the New Orleans Saints | Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Cobb was returned to the Packers in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round selection pick. To make the trade work, the Texans agreed to pay $3 million of Cobb’s salary.
Houston got rid of a player who wasn’t going to have much of an effect, and Rodgers re-joined the squad with his closest buddy.
The deal seemed to be a win-win situation for all sides. But fast forward five weeks, and it’s obvious that Cobb’s presence has helped the Packers tremendously. This isn’t limited to the locker room.
Cobb is essentially being paid to be Rodgers’ second-best option after Davante Adams, who is, by the way, playing like a Transformer. Cobb has caught 11 receptions for 157 yards and two scores from Rodgers. To put things in perspective, he only scored three touchdowns in 2020 with the Texans.
But it’s “when” Cobb catches the ball that matters the most.
Cobb is found by Rodgers for a game-winning play: an age-old story
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates with teammate Randall Cobb (18) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium | Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Cobb established a reputation for himself in Green Bay by being dependable when the team needed him the most. He averaged almost 12 yards per reception during his first stay with the Packers, and he was always a favorite target for Rodgers on third downs, particularly in 3rd-and-long scenarios.
Cobb was successful due of his excellent route-running and relationship with his quarterback, despite not being the quickest or largest receiver on the field. That’s why Rodgers wants his old pal back, and the two have been able to continue up where they left off so far in 2021.
Rodgers’ preferred choice is by far Adams, and it’s not even close. So far this season, he has 61 targets. With 17 targets, running back Aaron Jones is the next closest pass-catcher. If you think about it, that’s absurd.
Cobb has been targeted 14 times by Rodgers and has caught 11 of them. That demonstrates their connection, and if that doesn’t convince you, watch the highlights from Green Bay’s victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, when Rodgers threw two touchdown passes to Cobb. Cobb’s game-winning third-down grab in overtime against the Cincinnati Bengals comes to mind as well.
It’s an age-old legend. It’s a link that will continue to help the Packers as they try to eventually go over the hump and win another Super Bowl before the Rodgers era of Green Bay football comes to an end.
Pro Football Reference provided the statistics.
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